Congratulations to all our swimmers who took part in the Kingdom Open Gala in Tralee on Sunday the 10^th of December.  They faced some stiff competition, especially from the Cork clubs, but still came away with a very credible 17 medals:

Under 11 Girls – Pia Hickey put in some wonderful performances to win gold in the 50 metres freestyle and silver in the 100 metres backstroke.

Under 13 Boys – Paudie O’Leary continued his winning ways to take silver in the 50 metres freestyle and a tasty pair of bronzes in the 100 metres and 200 metres freestyle.  Meanwhile, Ethan O’Neill took bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke in a very difficult race.  Charles O’Brien was spectacular in both the 200 and 100 breaststroke, winning gold in both.  So much so that, as he cruised home in the 200 metre race (knocking a full 28 seconds off his best time), one Cork lady was heard to mutter “Is that lad on steroids or wha’?”

Under 13 Girls – Ellen Farndon took a beautiful bronze in the 100 metres backstroke.

Under 15 Girls – Niamh Coffey was another swimmer in flying form taking silver in the 100 metres butterfly and bronze in the 100 metres backstroke.  Margaret O’Brien also powered to a delightful silver in the 200 metres butterfly – not a race for the faint-hearted.

Under 15 Boys – Killarney boys dominated the 100 metres backstroke with Owen Fitzgerald winning the gold and Sean Farndon the silver.  Well done, lads!

Over 16 Boys – Shane Courtney was sublime winning a lovely set of bronze medals in the 100 and 200 metres butterfly, while Alan O’Shea went home with hard-earned silver in the 200 metres backstroke.

Thanks to our senior coach Cathal O’Brien, coach Leontia Doody and assistant coach Shane Kerins who all gave huge support to the swimmers. Thanks also to all parents for travelling and taking part in the timekeeping.

Our annual Christmas Gala today was a huge success with over 55 children taking part in 10 fun events.  Great credit is due to our coaches Leontia Doody, Vicki Dando and Shane Kerins with a particular thanks to our Master of Ceremonies for the day, Mike O’Sullivan.   The big race, the Family Race, was won again this year by the Coffey family from Muckross, who were presented with the Sean O’Grady Plate at the party afterwards. Thanks to all families who brought along food, sweets, buns, cakes, drinks, everything!  It was a real party.  Spot-prizes were kindly sponsored by The Aura, Muckross House, O’Connor O’Shea Solicitors, Kerry Outdoor Sports, Mods & Minis, Sona Juice Bar, Nike, The GAA Store, and Bags etc.

The prizes were drawn by a particularly fit-looking Santa Claus who has been on a “high-fibre and prune only” diet for the last 12 months and which has shifted a good bit of that ol’ weight, fair dues to him.  He couldn’t stay long.

Finally, we wish everyone a happy and fun-filled Christmas and we’ll see you back in the pool in January 2017.